I am making pens and other items with 6 inch blanks from bell forrest right now, but they purposely cut off all of the sapwood before selling it. This irritates me to no end because the contrast in the two wood types is amazing! Who cares about a simple black wood? It’s the grain and contrasting beautiful tan sapwood that would make a turned project stand out in my opinion.

Does anyone know where I can purchase blanks in AT LEAST 6 inches in blackwood with sapwood still on them? For the life of me I can’t understand why you would cut it off.

-- "Anyone can post a quote on the internet and attribute the quote to a famous person." -Abraham Lincoln

Just a little info with no disrespect to Karen – African Blackwood is a Rosewood, not an Ebony. That said, I find it hard to tell them apart. I see you’re in Manteca. I would call Global Woods (in San Jose), Eisenbrands, Tropical Exotic Hardwoods (both in SoCal) and Gilmer Wood and Cooks (both in Oregon) One of these places should be able to find what you need. Hope this helps…........Wes

-- "After a year of doing general farmwork, it was quite clear to me that chickens and I were not compatible"-George Nakashima

Hi Fridge, I can’t say what Blackwood looks like with sapwqood, but on desert Ironwood, if you left the sapwood on, the wood would have a possibility of having critters invade your project. The shrink rates of heart and sap wood are also different. Could be a reason why the SW is removed. Also, I’ve never turned pens, but to get your blanks to fit the kits, don’t you need to turn most of the wood away, leaving only heartwood? . ............ Jerry (in Tucson)

Think read African Blackwood no longer considered an Ebony wood and now in Rosewood family. If do a search for Ebony will see African Blackwood listed. Pen turners have used African Blackwwod for their pens because do not get problem you get other woods in Ebony family.

Call Bell Forest and ask them to cut you some with the sapwood left on. They are super nice guys and I bet would help you out. I had a specific size birdseye maple piece I needed and they found and cut it to help me out.

Wow such a good response! I love lumberjocks. So, to address the important parts… I have talked to bell Forrest and they get their Blackwood from a supplier already cut, and none with sapwood on it still.

The sapwood that’s on Blackwood is a really nice creamy off-white color, and it’s very tough just like the heartwood. I have had a couple blanks with he sapwood deep enough that I was able to keep some of it in the finished product. The blanks I use are 3/4 inch, so there’s no reason why the wood can’t be cut with sapwood right down the middle so it will be in the finished product.

As for critters entering the project, the end result of my projects are pens and crochet hooks that are about 5.75 inches long, so very little danger of critters. Thanks all for your responses, and I guess my answer is to just keep looking.

-- "Anyone can post a quote on the internet and attribute the quote to a famous person." -Abraham Lincoln

Even if find a store near you with a supply of African Blackwood not sure will find what you are looking for. Might make out buying more expensive turning squares or turning blanks from a store or online vendor where you can cut blanks yourself.

Yeah I will look until I find a place where I can cut my own that has the sapwood still on. Even the black and white ebony doesn’t have much white in it, and it’s not as smooth and cream colored as the Blackwood.

-- "Anyone can post a quote on the internet and attribute the quote to a famous person." -Abraham Lincoln

Fridgecritter, another possible source would be The International Association of Penturners (IAP). They have a Trade/ For Sale section. I have gotten Blackwood cutoffs with sapwood. I think they may be the best place to find your wood…...Wes

-- "After a year of doing general farmwork, it was quite clear to me that chickens and I were not compatible"-George Nakashima